APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITYCAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER

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ASU’s Career Development Center exists with the purpose of empowering students and alumni to select and pursue careers consistent with their values, interests, abilities, experiences, and edu-cation.

The Career Development Center staff works to facilitate the University’s goal of economic de-velopment for the region. Our staff works to develop the career and professional skills of students, and facilitates unions between our students and employers that benefit the state as a whole.

The purpose of this guide is to provide you the necessary resources to ensure your career de-velopment experience at ASU is successful from your Freshman to Senior year.

Welcome to Career Services at ASU

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CDC Services Overview..................................................... 2

4 Year Plan ......................................................................... 3-6

Choosing and Exploring Majors.......................................... 7-10

Internship Search Strategies.............................................. 11-12

Job Searching Strategies................................................... 13-14

Networking Strategies...................................................... 15-16

Interviewing Strategies....................................................... 17-20

CDC Events and Programs................................................ 21-22

Resume Writing.................................................................. 23-30

Cover Letter Writing............................................................ 31-34

Graduate School Preparation............................................. 35-37

P. 1

Let Your Career Journey Begin!

Getting to Know Career Services

Individualized Counseling on self-managed career development, 8-5, M-FDrop-in hours (for quick help and initial visits) are available 2-4, M-FResume and Cover Letter Writing assistance and guidanceInterview Preparation with recruiters and career service professionals to practice and cri-tique interviewing skillsJob and Internship Searching Strategies including navigating Career Gear and online job searching sites, networking, utilizing social media, and practicing effective job correspon-denceGraduate School Preparation including searching and applying for graduate programs

Career Development Center www.careers.appstate.edu/students One stop access to all of your online career development needs•Schedulecareercounselingappointments•Create,present,manageandshareresumes•Practiceinterviewing•Searchforjobsandinternships•Signupforon-campusinterviews•Researchemployers•Identifyemployermentorsandnetwork•Stayuptodatewithcareercentereventsandfairs

Student Employment studentemployment.appstate.edu•Identifypart-time,on-andoff-campus,andworkstudyplacement

Internships internships.appstate.edu•Guidetochoosing,searchingandapplyingforinternships

Peer Career peercareer.appstate.edu•LearnhowtochooseandmajorandfindcareerinformationforeverymajoratASU

On-Campus Interviewing Opportunities (Fall/Spring) Employer Information Sessions (Fall/Spring)Career Fair (Fall/Spring) Making a Difference Nonprofit/Government Career Fair (Spring)Graduate & Professional School Fair (Fall)Education Career Fair (Fall/Spring) Internship & Volunteer Fair (Spring)Resume/Cover Letter, Interviewing, Job Searching, Networking, and Professional Etiquette workshops (Fall/Spring)

PERSONALIZED SERVICES

ONLINE SERVICES

ON CAMPUS EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

P. 2

THE FOUR YEAR PLAN

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ear WORK one-on-one with a Career Guide or Career Counselor in Peer

Career to help you identify interests, abilities and values

COMPLETE a self assessment inventory in Peer Career that will match you with majors and careers

ATTEND the Majors Fair and speak with departments across campus about academic majors, minors, and concentrations

DISCOVER major and career information resources at Peer Career

EXPLORE related career titles for ASU majors on Peer Career’s website, peercareer.appstate.edu

RESEARCH careers via O*Net Online, online.onetcenter.org/

UTILIZE student employment job board to identify local summer op-portunities

As a Freshman, you can easily become overwhelmed with college life and forget why you are here-to find a major that fits with who you are and your plans for the future. Take time to dis-cover your interests, abilities and values and how these fit into majors. By completing the follow-ing activities, you will be amazed at how much you learn about yourself.

Did you know the career development process begins your Freshman year? Every class and experience can go towards expanding your interests,

building your skills and forming your goals. The following is a four year plan which outlines steps to take from your Freshman to Senior Year. The Career Development Center is here to help you every step of the way.

P. 3

THE FOUR YEAR PLAN

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As you begin your sophomore year, you will ideally be close to making a deci-sion about your academic major(s) and minor(s). If you do not feel ready to

make a decision , continue to utilize the Peer Career Center and meet with your academic advisor. If you feel ready to make a decision about your major and career, follow the recommended activities for gaining experience both inside and outside the classroom.

CONTINUE to meet regularly with your general academic advisor if you are un-decided. If you declare a major, meet with your new departmental advisor.

VISIT Peer Career and take additional self assessments and explore majors and careers if you are undecided

JOIN a club and/or organization related to your major and interests

UTILIZE the Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) office to identify local volunteer opportunities that are related to your major and interests

DEVELOP your collegiate resume

EXPLORE the internships website

JOIN the internships listserv

ATTEND the Internship, Volunteer and Leadership Fair

COMPLETE an informational interview and/or job shadow with 2 individuals

PURSUE summer volunteer and work opportunities

Your sophomore year is a great time to begin thinking about your collegiate resume. If you

start now, you can begin to formulate a plan to build your resume by developing skills and gain-ing new experiences. Utilize Optimal Resume appstate .optimalresume.com/ to get started.

HINTS FOR SUCCESS

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THE FOUR YEAR PLAN

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MEET with your career counselor to discuss internship opportunities within your major

UTILIZE the internships website and Career Gear for resources in finding and applying for internships

UPDATE your resume to apply for internships

EXPLORE research opportunities, osr.appstate.edu/index.cfm

TAKE on a leadership role within clubs and organizations, csil.appstate.edu/

JOIN a regional or national professional organization in your field of study, quintcareers.com/professional_organizations.html

ATTEND workshops, events and career fairs to seek information on internships

ATTEND the graduate and professional school fair if applying for graduate school

ATTEND the Internship, Volunteer and Leadership Fair

COMPLETE a practice interview through Perfect Interview, an online practice interviewing software

KEEP a journal of your internship experience so you can easily update your resume

GAIN experience through volunteering and working

As you complete your sophomore year and finish up your general education requirements,

you will begin to take classes directly related to your major. This provides an excellent opportunity to establish relationships with faculty who can serve as references for graduate school and employment. Your junior year is also a good time to begin researching internships and to think about the types of skills you want to utilize and gain through an internship experience . You may be completing your internship, working part time, or studying abroad. What-ever you are doing, utilize this time to network, build relationships and prepare yourself for your senior year.

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THE FOUR YEAR PLAN

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MEET with your career counselor for feedback on your resume and assistance with your job search ATTEND an ASU, regional or national professional orga-nization workshop and/or conference within your major

RESEARCH company and organization information for your field via Career Gear

UPDATE resume to include internship, volunteer, leader-ship, involvement, part time work and professional orga-nizations

UTILIZE Career Gear to sign up for on campus inter-views

ATTEND CDC information sessions, workshops and career fairs

MAKE a list of references/professional contacts you have made through internships, volunteering, professional organizations, or part time jobs

RESEARCH and conduct site visits to graduate programs

TAKE graduate school admissions test (if applicable)

APPLY to graduate school (if applicable)

You have arrived! If you have been following the four year career plan , you should feel confident about your job and/or graduate school search . Con-

tinue to meet with your career counselor and explore ways to gain experience and network during your senior year and to hone your job searching skills.

P. 6

UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF

4 STEPS OF CAREER DECISION MAKING

Step 1: Self AssessmentBefore choosing a major/career, take time to figure out who you are, what you are good at and what you want and value in life. Making an informed decision about your major is more than what you are interested in. You must also take time to look at course require-ments and ask yourself if you are skilled in these areas. You can do this by talking to a peer guide/career counselor and also taking a career assessment test in Peer Career that will match you with potential majors and careers.

Step 2: Career InformationOnce you have assessed which careers and majors fit your interests, skills, values and personality, take time to explore what types of careers a major can lead to and the skills one needs to be successful in this field. Utilize Peer Career to research information in-cluding related career titles, daily work tasks, relevant skills, job outlook, salary, trends, and training.

Step 3: Decision MakingPeople make decisions many different ways-some people go on intuition and some are very analytical. Only you know if you are ready to make a decision. If you have taken time to explore who you are and research majors and careers, then you will be more prepared to make an informed decision. Peer Career has a variety of decision making tools to help you in the decision making process.

Step 4: Career PlanningNow that you have decided on a major, take time to gain experience in your field. The Ca-reer Development Center can help you develop a plan to begin building your resume for post graduation careers and/or graduate and professional programs. Career planning also consists of improving interviewing skills, exploring internship opportunities, enhancing job searching techniques and preparing for graduate school.

T he average person will spend 86,000 hours work-

ing from graduation to retire-ment. How much time will you spend determining what you will do for those 86,000 hours? Take time to figure out who you are, explore options and make an informed deci-sion about your major and career.

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PEER CAREER CENTER

Personalized ServicesYou do not have to go through the process of choosing a major and career by yourself. We are here to help guide and assist you in making an informed decision about your major and career.

Peer to Peer GuidanceSpeak one-on-one with a Career Guide on career decision making topics. Come see why students who visit the Peer Career Center overwhelmingly rate their one-on-one session with peers as being one of the most helpful aspects of visiting Peer Career.

Professional Career CounselingReceive one on one career counseling from Career Development Center and Counseling Center staff.

Self Assessment InventoriesDiscover how your interests, abilities, values and personality match with majors and careers.

Career Exploration ResourcesResearch daily work tasks, related skills, salary, job outlook and more through our career library and computer based career resources.

Leadership OpportunitiesDevelop valuable helping, listening, communication, writing, and leadership skills by becoming a Peer Career Guide.

Peer Career is a service co-sponsored by the Career Development Center and

Counseling and Psychological Services Center.

Peer Career has assisted over 25,000 ASU students in choosing and exploring majors and careers in the last 5 years. Let us help you too!

Whether you have no idea about what to major in or you have a couple of majors in mind, we can assist you in exploring all of your options and making the right decision for you.

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EXPLORING MAJORS AND CAREERS

Choosing a major and career involves researching what you can do with your major and what your career entails. Choosing a major involves more than tak-

ing one introduction class and deciding that you like it. Take time to speak with professors, examine course checksheets and read course descriptions before declar-ing your major. When deciding on a career path , characteristics such as daily work tasks, relevant skills, likes/dislikes, job outlook, salary, and work environment are important to research .

Majors FairThe Majors Fair occurs each Fall and provides you the opportunity to speak with faculty about course requirements, majors, minors, concentrations, study abroad, and internship opportunities within their departments.

Peer Career Information ResourcesPeer Career offers an extensive library which includes books on careers for various majors, personality types, and skill sets. You can also utilize career exploration software and electronic resources to explore majors and careers. The Career Information by Major section of the Peer Career website can also help you get started in exploring career titles within your major.

Information Interview/Job Shadowing Conducting information interviews and job shadowing with professionals in fields of interest are excellent ways to learn more about your potential career path. Career Gear provides a searchable list of employers willing to serve as mentors and professional contacts to ASU students.

Club/Organization Involvement Becoming involved in campus clubs and organizations can help you dis-cover and develop interests and abilities while exploring majors. Check out the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) csil.appstate.edu/ which encompasses over 200 student clubs and organizations, Student Government Association and Greek Life.

Volunteer/InternExplore interests and abilities by volunteering or interning during the semes-ter or summer of your freshman and sophomore years. Hands on experi-ence helps you determine what you will enjoy and excel at in a future career. Attend the Internship, Leadership and Volunteer fair in January to discover opportunities.

P. 9

BUILDING A WINNING RESUME

Is your Freshman year to early to begin thinking about your resume? Absolutely not! Building a winning resume takes time and careful planning, particularly

if you want to be a competitive job or graduate school applicant. Follow these steps for resume success and to ensure you will gain the attention of employers and graduate schools.

Establish solid relationships with profes-sors and employers. Professors can provide a wealth of information and assistance as you determine your career path. You can also learn a great deal from work supervisors. Some day you will be asking these people to write or give a verbal reference for you; the better they know you, the more qualified they will feel to speak about your skills and abilities.

Set career goals. Once you have determined your major and completed research on ca-reer opportunities within your major, set ten-tative career goals. These goals may change throughout college, but setting goals early gives you focus.

Join clubs and participate in activities re-lated to your career goals. There are many clubs and organizations at ASU; some relate to academic majors, others to interest areas. Work-ing with fellow students, faculty advisors, and others you encounter can also provide extremely valuable experience in building teamwork and communication skills, both of which are vital to almost any career you may pursue.

Be selective about part-time and summer employment. While any job can provide valu-able experience, employers are often looking for someone who can demonstrate as many of the necessary skills as possible for their available position. The more relevant experi-ence you have, the better prepared you are for a position in your chosen field.

Volunteer with an organization or agency.Utilize the Appalachian and the Community To-gether (ACT) office, act.appstate.edu, to identify local opportunities related to your major.

Do an internship. What better way to famil-iarize yourself with the inner workings of a prospective career field than to do an intern-ship with a company or organization in that field? Utilize internships.appstate.edu to start exploring internships.

Get good grades. In almost any career you can imagine, employers are looking for the best and brightest graduates to fill their company’s open-ings. If you plan to attend graduate school, a high GPA may be an entrance requirement.

Determine skills and abilities needed to suc-ceed in your career. Communication? Lead-ership? Initiative? What are the skills you will need to succeed on the job? Look at job descriptions, talk to employers, professors, and those currently employed in your field of choice to find out what you will need to do to succeed in your chosen career.

Start planning early. Planning and preparing for a career is not something that can be done well during the last semester of your senior year. If you want quality information to put on your resume, the earlier you start, the more confident you will be in your resume.

Visit Peer Career and the Career Develop-ment Center. For information about almost any career field you can imagine, Peer Ca-reer is a great starting place. When you are ready to write your resume, the Career Devel-opment Center offers resume clinics, online resources and one on one assistance to ensure that your resume is the best possible tool for marketing your skills to employers.

Adaptedfromcareermag.com

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INTERNSHIP SEARCH STRATEGIES

“WithouttheCDCservices,IwouldnothavebeenassuccessfulintheASUinWashington,D.C.program.CDChelpedmefindaninternshipthatespousedmyownbeliefsofnon-profitworkthatad-dressescivilrightsissues,fairandjustelections,anddemocracyrestoration.Iwasabletolearnhowtointerviewviaphone;theskillssheetthattheyprovidedmehelpedmetoprepare.IwasalsoverysurprisedwhenSharonJensen,theAssistantDirectoroftheCDCtraveledtoD.C.duringmyinternshipexperiencetomeetwithmyinternshipsupervisorin-person.

TheCDChastaughtmehowtosearchforjobs/careersandhowtocreateapro-fessionalresumeandcoverletter.IuseCDC’sresourceseveryday;especiallynow,sinceIamapplyingandinterviewingforjobspostgraduation.

Brittany SherrillBA English ‘10Career Development Services Utilized: internship search assis-tance; resume building; in-person interview/phone interview skills

Key Steps to Internship Success

√ Visit internships.appstate.edu to explore resources for finding, securing and succeeding in an internship

√ Assess interests and skills within your field to determine which internships to explore √ Meet with your faculty advisor to determine

academic credit options and time frame for completing your internship √ Determine travel restrictions, financial status,

distance from home/school, living arrange- ments, and future schedules in school √ Attend the Internship, Leadership and Volun-

teer Fair √ Research internship opportunities via Career

Gear √ Join the internships listserv √ Inform people in your network (faculty, career

counselors, employers, advisors, doctors, etc.,) that you are looking for an internship √ Consider making a personal visit to the

organization √ Design a targeted resume and cover letter for

internships and have it reviewed by your ca- reer counselor √ Complete a practice interview √ Send thank you notes after interviews within

48 hours √ Follow up with employers in 1-2 weeks

What is an internship and why should I do one? An internship provides you

the opportunity to gain hands on experi-ence and expand upon your skills within your major. According to the National As-sociation of Colleges and Employers, in-ternships are the number one qualification employers seek in new hires.

P. 11

INTERNSHIP SEARCH STRATEGIES

Special Programs

Washington, D.C. Internship Program dc.appstate.edu/ The ASU in Washington, D.C. Semes-ter Program provides an opportunity for students to participate in an internship and study in Washington, D.C. for one Fall or Spring semester while maintain-ing full-time enrollment status at ASU. Students can earn 9 credit hours for their internship experience and 3 credit hours taking the honors seminar, HON 3510.

The Disney College Program wdwcollegeprogram.com Participants will have the opportunity to develop transferable skills, including Guest service, problem solving, leader-ship, effective communication, and cul-tural sensitivity. The Disney College Program presents information sessions throughout the Fall and Spring. Check internships.appstate.edu for dates and times. Students must at-tend information session to be eli-gible for internship interviews.

NC State Government Internship Program doa.nc.gov/yaio/interns.htm Internships are offered in virtually all areas of state government. Up to one-hundred paid internships are avail-able for 10 weeks each summer for undergraduates, graduate students and those in professional schools.

Student Conservation Association (SCA) thesca.org/ SCA provides college and high school-aged members with hands-on conser-vation service opportunities in virtually every field imaginable, from tracking grizzlies through the Tetons to restor-ing desert ecosystems and teaching environmental education at Wash-ington, D.C.’s Urban Tree House.

Where should I search for internships?

Utilizing Career Gear to search for internshipsappstate-csm.symplicity.com/students/Sign into Career Gear with your Appalnet username and password to search for intern-ships offered to ASU students.

InternshipSearchFeature: The “Jobs” tab will allow you to search Career Gear for intern-ships. Select “CSM (Career Services Man-ager) Jobs” to search for internships posted through the ASU Career Development Center. Select “NACElink Network” to search for in-ternships posted through the National Asso-ciation of Colleges and Employers.

AdditionalJob/InternshipWebsites : There are several external internship resources that the CDC purchases for you that are also ac-cessible via Career Gear.

The Internship & Volunteer FairThis fair is held every January in the Plem-mons Student Union bringing internship hosts to campus to speak with prospective interns.

NetworkingRecognizing that not all available internships will be advertised, keep in mind the power of utilizing your contacts.• Utilize the “Networking” tab on Career Gear to search for ASU and CDC contacts that have expressed interest in becoming mentors to students. • Access your resource people on campus, academic advisors and internship coordina-tors in your academic department, other faculty, or your career counselor in the Career Development Center• Think of who you know outside of your campus community (doctor, work supervisor, friends’ parents, dentist, etc.,)

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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Opportunities to meet employers

On Campus Interviews

Did you know you can interview on campus for postgraduate jobs? Many employers

are seeking students from a variety of majors and backgrounds. Visit your career counselor to make sure you are prepared to submit your re-sume and to be interviewed. Check your Career Gear account to see who will be interviewing.

Employer Information Sessions

Learn about internships, jobs, organizational culture, working conditions, benefits, and

more when you attend these sessions. This is a great networking opportunity! If you are interested in working for any of the companies presenting information sessions, we strongly recommend you attend.

Employer panels and workshops

Employers serve on Q&A panels, present workshop on interviewing and job search-

ing and assist with resume clinics throughout the year. This provides an excellent opportunity to meet and network with employers. Check our Fall and Spring newsletter for dates, times and locations.

On Campus and Regional Career Fairs

We offer career fairs during the Fall and Spring with a variety of employers target-

ing all majors. Check our website to see who is coming. Also, some colleges and universities and regional and national professional associa-tions offer career fairs open to the public.

Professional Organizations/Conferences

Professional associations exist for any field you can think of! Once you have declared

your major, begin looking for opportunities to join professional associations within your field. These associations often offer a discounted membership and conference registration fee to students.

Career Gear Powered by Symplicy

appstate-csm.symplicity.com/students/Career Gear, powered by Symplicity is the Career Development Center’s new career management system for scheduling career counseling appointments, posting resumes, searching for jobs and internships, signing up for on campus interviews, researching employ-ers, identifying employer mentors and staying up to date with career center events and fairs.

Key Steps to Job Search Success

√ Visit careers.appstate.edu to explore resources for finding and securing jobs

√ Assess work values to determine which job titles, employers and industries you want to pursue √ Determine relocation restrictions and

realistic salary and benefits for your field √ Attend all CDC career fairs and work-

shops √ Utilize Career Gear to search for jobs,

employer information sessions, and on campus interview opportunities √ Inform people in your network (faculty,

employers, advisors, doctors, etc,.) that you are job searching √ Consider making personal visits to

organizations you are targeting √ Design a targeted resume and cover let-

ter for jobs and have it reviewed by your career counselor √ Professionalize your online personna √ Create a LinkedIn account √ Complete a practice interview √ Send thank you notes after interviews

within 48 hours √ Follow up with employers in 1-2 weeks

P. 13

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES

Federal government Job SearchThe Federal Government needs to hire more than 193,000 workers for “mission-critical” jobs over the next 2 years according to the Partnership for Public Service. These jobs cover almost every occupa-tional field and will be available across the coun-try. Check out the following resources for getting started with your federal government job search.

Key resources for federal government job search usajobs.gov• Create a federal government online application and re- sume. Search for job and internship opportunities by loca- tion, agency, and field. appstate-csm.symplicity.com/students/ • Check Career Gear for opportunities bestplacestowork.org/• Review ranking of best places to work in the federal gov- ernment

usa.gov• Learn more about agencies within the federal government and which ones fit your interests and skills by going di rectly to agency websites. Select the A-Z List of Agencies. ourpublicservice.org/OPS/programs/calltoserve/toolkit/ • Utilize the Call to Serve toolkit. This comprehensive resource includes information on job searching, loan repayment programs, academic specific opportunities, KSA and resume writing and more.

“Havinginterviewsrightoncampuswithlotsofdifferentemployers…soconve-nient!Icouldinterviewinbetweenclass-es,evenifitwasjustforpractice.Theyalsohelpedpreparemeforinterviewsbygivinglotsofgoodadvice.

RightnowIamaSalesConsultantforVil-lageGreen.Iusedmypreviousemployer,whichIinterviewedwithatCDC,togainvaluableexperiencethathelpedmegetthejobIhavenow”

Katie GallmanBSBA Marketing ‘09Career Development Services Utilized: JobFest, Resume Clinic, Mock Interview

Utilizing Career Gear to search for internshipsSign into Career Gear with your Appalnet username and password to search for intern-ships offered to ASU students.

JobSearchFeature: The “Jobs” tab will allow you to search Career Gear for jobs. Select “CSM (Career Services Manager) Jobs” to search for jobs posted through the ASU Ca-reer Development Center. Select “NACElink Network” to search for jobs posted through the National Association of Colleges and Em-ployers.

AdditionalJob/InternshipWebsites : There are several external job resources that the CDC purchases for you that are also acces-sible via Career Gear.

OnCampusInterviews: Select “Interviews” to see companies that will be interviewing through the CDC.

Remember to meet with the career counselor for your major to receive

individual assistance with your job search.

P. 14

HINTS FOR SUCCESS

NETWORKING STRATEGIES

First impressions are everything! Make certain you look professional, smell professional, sound professional and enter the room with confidence and greet people with a firm handshake.

Bring your resume!

Schmoozing is not for outgoing/extroverted people only! Take time to practice, rehearse your introductions, and get comfortable connecting effectively with one person at a time.

Be a master at small talk. Avoid saying the wrong thing by staying clear of dangerous top-ics including politics, religious issues, personal questions, or statements like, “I need a job.”

Be prepared and plan your strategy! If you know ahead of time who will be in attendance, plan ahead for who you want to talk to first.

Circulate and be memorable. Move around the room and engage yourself in the process of min-gling! If you are attending the event with people you know, be sure to separate yourself from them and make your own conversation.

Initiate conversation! The simplest introduction is “hi.” Look at the people in the room as guests of ASU and begin your conversation by welcom-ing them to campus and asking them how their visit has been so far.

Plan and polish your lines for self-introduction, a 20 second “personal infomercial” works well.

When attending an event in which you plan to network, it is wise to plan ahead and take advantage of the following insights:

Be a good listener! It is OK to engage in small talk that allows for you to learn more about the other person.

Break away gracefully. Know when to move on to another person.

Schmooze first, then eat! Avoid trying to bal-ance a plate, a drink, and a handshake.

Avoid side conversations. Having someone overhear a side conversation in which you are evaluating or critiquing something you heard earlier is a certain kiss of death.

Manage your alcohol consumption. Schmoozing events oftentimes include alcohol. Know how much (or how little) you can consume. Best not to partake if you are uncertain.

Watch out for using too much ASU alphabet soup! SGA, ACJA, AMA, RSA, CSIL…Our conversation can easily turn meaningless for the listener when we use unfamiliar terms.

Take breaks. Give your social skills a rest if you need to take a break.

Collect business cards. Once you leave the event it is very easy to forget names.

Plan for follow-up with thank-you notes! A well-written note demonstrates your professional follow-through and reminds them of your qualifi-cations.

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NETWORKING STRATEGIES

UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA TO NETWORK

Though originally created as a social networking site, Facebook has quickly created a presence in

the professional realm, if used correctly. Many employ-ers now have fan pages and use social media as part of their strategy to attract and connect with potential hires. LinkedIn, a site dedicated entirely to professional networking, provides a guideline for students on how to appropriately utilize the site for their job search at learn.linkedin.com/students/. Utilize the following strat-egies to maximize the benefits of social media:

• Join professional associations affiliated with your field on both Facebook and LinkedIn

•Research companies you are interested in working for and choose “like” on their Facebook page

•Update your profile with posts related to your job search, so employers can see that you are serious about your job search

•Choose a professional “headshot” photo on LinkedIn and build your professional profile to include all of the experience on your resume

•Establish connections with a personalized message about who you are, why you would like to connect, and whether you have a common connection or affili-ate

•Ask for past work, internship, volunteer or organiza-tional supervisors and professors for recommenda-tions on LinkedIn

What is your online reputation? AccordingtoasurveypublishedbytheNationalAssociationofCollegesandEmployersin2009,70percentofU.S.recruitersandHRprofessionalssaytheyhaverejectedcandidatesbasedoninforma-tiontheyfoundonline.As you begin searching for internships or jobs, keep in mind that employers may search online for information on you as part of a standard background check. This includes blogs, Face-book profiles, Twitter updates, and other information available online.

To create and maintain a positive online presence, consider these tips:• Use Google to search all versions of your name (full name and nicknames)• Take action to remove anything damaging found on websites• Enable privacy settings on your Facebook account to ensure information you do not want shared with

employers are not viewable to the public• Clean up your social media profiles by regularly reviewing your profile and deleting posts or photos

that are inappropriate • Always use sounds judgement when posting comments and photos

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INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES

Perfect Interview is an online, practice interviewing system designed to offer you a

way to develop your interview skills. You will need a computer with a high speed internet connection, a webcam, speakers, and a microphone. If you do not have access to these items The Career Development Center can provide you access to a computer with what you need.

PURPOSE OF INTERVIEW

The purpose of interviewing is to present your quali-fications for jobs or internships to potential employ-

ers. Employers are seeking to find the best fit for the position, department and the organization’s mission and values. Always be prepared to address your skills, abilities, experiences, and personality effectively and persuasively.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW• Check out the organization’s website• Do a web search of the organization and see what others are saying about them • Look at promotional materials• Talk to knowledgeable people in the field• Know their mission, focus, and values• Anticipate and practice potential questions• Prepare questions for the interviewer• Prepare and bring extra copies of your resume and references

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Theoldcliche“youonlygetonechancetomakeafirstimpression”holdstrueforinterviewsaswell.• Greet the employer with a FIRM HANDSHAKE and look him/her in the eye• Be enthusiastic and smile!• Call the interviewer by last name and title• Wait to be seated until invited to do so• Let the interviewer make the transition from small talk to formal interview questions • Dress and introduce yourself in a professional manner

DRESS TO IMPRESSMen:• Dark suit, dress shirt, and tie• Dark socks and DRESS shoes• Tip of tie should reach middle of belt buckle• Match shoes and belt!• Socks should tie pants and shoes to- gether• Groomed hair and facial hair• Remove piercing(s)

Women:• Pant or skirt suit in a neutral color (black, gray, navy)• Not too short!• Closed-toe heels (1.5-2 inches)• No excessive jewelry, perfume, or make-up• Make sure hair is neat and avoid touching it!• Remove piercing(s) (other than ears)

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The image you present communicates what you think of yourself and how you think about the interviewers, the business or organization , and the interviewing process itself. SHOW RESPECT!

INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR?Non-verbal• Optimism & energy• Well-groomed, good hygiene, appropriate dress• Good posture, professionalism• Openness & receptiveness-do not cross your arms!• Positive facial expressions • Good eye contact

Verbal• Concise and organized answers• Proper grammar and vocabulary• Understand career, position, and employer• Illustrate strengths and skills with specific examples• No “yes” or “no” answers• Ask appropriate questions about job or interviewer

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS NOT LOOKING FOR?• Arriving late• Indicating you are late because of bad directions• Looking disheveled and inappropriately dressed• Slouching in your seat• Not maintaining good eye contact• Not making a connections between your skills and the employers needs• Bragging • Displaying no enthusiasm for the job• Answering with mostly “yes” or “no”• Appearing desperate for ANY job• Calling the employer by first names or the wrong name• Giving memorized responses and forgetting parts• Slamming your current or former employer• Asking about salary near the beginning, or even first interview • Saying no when asked if you have any questions for the employer

TYPES OF QUESTIONS IndividualNeedsandCommitmenttoField:• Why do you want to work with our organization?• Why will you make a good employee?• Why are you going into this field?

ProfessionalQualifications:• What are your strongest/weakest areas in your field?• What skills will you bring to our office?

InterpersonalRelationshipandAdaptability:• What kind of personal relationship would you like to have with clients? With fellow coworkers?• What would you do if….(problem-solving or organizational abilities)?• What do you expect of your coworkers and supervisors?

PersonalQualifications:• What is your work philosophy?• What do you feel qualifies you for this position?

DifficultQuestions:• What do you think of today’s industry, field, etc.?• How many previous interviews have you had?• Are you a good employee?

HINTS FOR SUCCESS

Practice your interviewing skills with recruiters from various organizations!

Open to ALL MAJORS. Schedule an inter-view through your Career Gear account. You can also practice interviews with career counselors in the Career Develop-ment Center. Call 262-2180 to schedule an appointment.

P. 18

INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES

HINTS FOR SUCCESSNEVER ask about compensation until you are done with the interview process and have been offered a job! Even then , let the interviewer be the first to bring up salary and benefits. When asked, have a salary range in mind and do some research into starting salaries in your field!

FOLLOW UPThank you notes

The basic rule of thumb is that every-one who helps you in any way gets a

thank you note. When used to follow-up on employment interviews, thank you letters should be sent within 24 hours to everyone who interviewed you. If it is not possible or appropriate to send a thank you letter to everyone you met during the interview, then send a thank you note to your host or to the highest ranking man-ager.Thankyounotesshould:• Express your sincere appreciation• Reemphasize your strongest qualifica- tions. Draw attention to the good match between your qualifications and the job requirements• Reiterate your interest in the position • Use the opportunity to provide or offer supplemental information not given

Phone CallIf you have not received a phone call or letter from an employer within 2 weeks of interviewing, it is appropriate to call the employer to reiterate your interest in the position and inquire about their timeline for making a decision.

QUESTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEWER

Always have questions about the organization prepared before the interview. You, as an applicant, have to judge

whether the organization offers the type of opportunity, work environment, and challenge you are seeking.• Why is this position vacant?• What would a typical working day be like?• What key challenges and/or problems face the person in this position?• How, when, and by whom would I be evaluated? What are the performance criteria?• What is the next step in the hiring process?• How much contact is there with management?

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW

Employers want to see how you might respond in certain situations based on past behavior. Answer behavioral

question by telling a very brief story from your experience to illustrate your point.• Give me an example of a complex process/situation you had to describe to someone. What did you do to make sure the information was clear?• Tell me about a time you were overwhelmed with too many things to do. Describe what you got done and how you organized your time.• Tell me about a situation where you were asked to do some thing that wasn’t ethically right. • Tell me about a time you were asked to make a difficult unpopular decision.

P. 19

FOLLOW UP LETTER

Katherine JohnsonPO Box 00000Boone, NC 28607(555) 555-5555kj22222@appstate.eduMarch 11, 2011

Ms. Mary SmithDirector of Human ResourcesThe Humanitarian FoundationCulver City, CA 90000

Dear Ms. Smith:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me last Thursday, March 7, for an interview. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and the other staff members at The Humanitarian Foundation. The interview reiterated my interest in joining your team, particularly after witnessing the enthusiasm each employee obviously has for their work. I am also looking forward to the possibility of utilizing my professional writing skills while working on the public relations project we discussed in the interview.

If you have any follow up questions for me, do not hesitate to call or email. I wish you the best as you make your final decision for this important role in your organization.

Sincerely,

Katherine JohnsonEnclosure: Resume

P. 20

CAREER FAIRSInternship,LeadershipandVolunteerFair This fair, held each January in the ASU Student Union hosts employers, nonprofit organizations and leadership clubs and organizations. JobfestCareerFairThis fair, held each Fall (September) and Spring (early March) at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Cen-ter hosts 50+ employers from all industries. EducationCareerFairThis fair, held each Fall (late October) and Spring (late March) at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center hosts 60+ public and private schools from across the Southeast. MakingaDifferenceCareerFairThis fair, held each Spring (late March) in the Student Union hosts 25+ nonprofit and government organizations seeking interns and full time employ-eesOutdoorJobsFairThis fair, held each Spring (late February) in the Student Union hosts 60+ camps, conference cen-ters, outfitters and resorts.

CAREER FAIRS

Making the Most of Career Fairs

Take this event seriously! This is not the time to joke around or go with a group of friends who may influ-

ence your choice of companies to visit.

Prepare in advance Take time to research and famil-iarize yourself with companies you have a particular

interest in.

Scan the Scene - before you begin speaking with the companies, take a walk around the room(s) to get

the lay of the land. If you get there early, go to the more popular tables first. If you have only limited time to spend, budget your time so you meet with companies high on your list.

Stand a few feet beside the tables that interest you. Listen to what the company representatives are ask-

ing other students. Take company literature and read it. If you don’t like what you hear, you have saved yourself time talking to them. If you do, you have given yourself an advantage.

Read the company representatives - those that stand in front of the table are probably more outgoing, and

you can expect a less formal interaction. Those sitting be-hind the table would typically prefer a more formal style. Those that smile, less formal. Those that do not - formal.

Greeting: greet the company representatives with enthusiasm! A firm handshake. A smile. Strong eye

contact. Good posture. First impressions, remember?

Dig deeper - even if a company is looking only for sales reps. Ask about how you can get your resume

to departments in which you are really interested.

Think of your dialog with companies as “mini-inter-views”. Ask questions, answer theirs. As you end the

conversation, ask for a business card.

Before you leave the fair, go back and visit the com-panies in which you were most interested. Let the

company representatives again know you are interested. It will help leave a good impression.

Make sure you send the company representative(s) a “thank you” note within 48 hours. You can refer

to those notes you have kept on the business card. You could also call the company the next day and leave a voice mail message reiterating your interest.

Check careers.appstate .edu and “ca-reer fairs” for a list of employers

attending so you can prepare yourself for our events.

P. 21

HINTS FOR SUCCESS

WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS

“TheprogramsofferedatAppalachian(CareerDevelopmentCenter)connectedmewithemployersandthedatestheywerecomingtocampusforjobfairsandinterviews.Theclinicswereveryhelpfulandencouragedstudentstoexhaustallresourcestobecomemarketabletopro-spectiveemployers.

IwasrecruitedtoworkasanExecutivefortheTargetCorporationinCharleston,SC.Iruna21milliondollarbusinessincludingpayrollallocation,recruiting,leadershipdevelopment,andexpensemanagement.Ithasbeenaverychal-lengingbutrewardingposition,andIhavedevelopedintoastrongeryoungprofes-sionalwiththeguidanceofmyseasonedexecutiveteamandmanager.”

Jessica SitlerBSBA Management ‘08Career Development Services Utilized: Job Fairs, Internship Fairs, Resume Clinics

EMPLOYER PANELSFall/Spring-day before JobfestDo you need insider tips on how to impress employ-ers? Professionals from various career fields will be on hand to share their insights about resumes, net-working, interviewing and success on the job.

HOW TO WORK A CAREER FAIRFall/Spring-day before JobfestCareer fairs are a great way to make connections with employers and find out about available opportuni-ties. They can also be nerve-wracking! How do you ap-proach representatives? How can you make a great first impression? Professional recruiters will be on campus to give you the scoop on how to “work” a ca-reer fair and provide insight on interviewing.

JOB SEARCH BOOTCAMPSpring-April Do you need help getting in top shape for your job search? The Career Development Center’s career counselors will be providing circuit job search training throughout the day on topics including networking, interviewing, and utilizing Ca-reer Gear. Career counselors will also be on hand through-out the day to provide resume and cover letter assistance. PRACTICE INTERVIEWS Fall/Spring-one week before Jobfest Practice your interviewing skills with recruiters from various organizations! Open to ALL MAJORS. Sched-ule an interview through your Career Gear account.

HOW TO ACE AN INTERVIEWFall/Spring-day before JobfestDo you have questions about how to successfully prepare for interviews? An Employer Representative will be on cam-pus to discuss the ins and outs of interviewing and how to make sure that you are prepared for the challenge. PEACE CORPS Peace Corps will be recruiting at various events throughout this semester. Please check peacecorps.appstate.edu to keep up to date on the details of In-formation Sessions and other Peace Corps recruit-ing events on campus and the Boone area.

RESUME CLINICSFall/Spring-2weeksbeforeJobfestYou have approximately 10 seconds to impress an employer with your resume. What are em-ployers looking for? Bring your resume to our table at the Student Union and receive feed-back from career counseling professionals.

P. 22

RECRUITING COMPANIES 2009-2010

ACR Supply Company Advanced Energy Corporation Aerotek All Risks Ltd. American Red Cross American Tire AmicaAmericorps and the Children Together ARHS Asheville Police Department Atlantic Medical Solutions Auto Owners Balfour Beatty Construction Bank of America Bankers Life & Casualty Barnhardt Manufacturing BB&T BDO Seidman Becker Professional Review Berkley Mid Atlantic Bernard Robinson Blackbaud Blue Cross Blue Shield Boatsman Gillmore Bryce Holder Buckeye C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. Cannon & CompanyCaroina Raptor Center Carpenter Company Census CGI Chandler Concrete Charlotte Bobcats Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Cherry, Bekaert & Holland Concord Police Department CESMCorriher & Michael Crown Automotive Deloitte Disability Determination Services Dixon Hughes Duke Energy Durham Police Department E & J Gallo Eastman Chemical Company Eaton Corporation Eckerd Youth Alternatives ECR Software Edward JonesElliott Davis Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Ernst & YoungFamily Dollar Stores, Inc. Families TogetherFarm Bureau Insurance Fastenal Fayetteville Police Department Ferguson a Wolseley Company First Citizens Bank First Investors Corp First Pioneer First Tennessee Bank Flow Companies Furnitureland South Gastonia Police Department Genesis Rehab Services Gilliam Coble & MoserGoodwill Industries of NWNC Goodyear - Clark Tire & Auto Grandfather Mountain Grant ThorntonGrassroots Campaigns Greensboro Police Department Greenville Police Department Greer & Walker High Country Energy Solutions Honeywell

Insurance House iSurity Jackson Sumner & Associates Jason’s Deli John Hancock/Capital Johnson & Johnson Inc. Managers Johnson, Price & Sprinkle Key Risk Kmart KPMG, LLP Kraft

Legacy Healthcare Services Liberty Mutual Lincoln Financial Lowe’s Home Improvement

M/I Homes Mark III Employee Benefits Mass Mutual Maxim Healthcare McGladrey & Pullen LLP Merion Realty Management Montgomery Insurance Mountain Youth Academy

Nationwide Newell Rubbermaid North Carolina Outward BoundNC Wildlife Resource Commission Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Otto-Environmental Systems Peace Corps Photo Specialties Piedmont Biofuels PricewaterhouseCoopersPublic Allies of NCPublic Schools (60+)

Raleigh Police Department Reznick Group Edwin M. Rollins/RPS

S.E.A. Corporation Sears Holdings Corporation Sherwin Williams Smith Leonard Smith Miller & Buff Sodexo State Farm Insurance Student Conservation Association SUWS of the Carolinas

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Americorps Target The Dog Wizard The Fresh Market The Hertz Corporation Thrivent Financial T-Metrics, Inc. Transportation Insight Travelers Tti

U.S. ArmyU.S. Public Health Service United States Secret Service University Directories U.S. Navy Officer Programs

Varsity Internship Programs VERSA TechnologiesVillage Green

Wells Fargo Financial Williams Overman Pierce

YMCA of Western NCYouth Villages

P. 23

RESUME WRITING

WHAT IS A RESUME?

Think of your resume as your personal marketing tool . Think of yourself as a product, potential employers or graduate schools as your customers, and

your resume as a brochure about you. Your “brochure” summarizes your quali-fications, education , experience, skills, and other items related to what your “customer” is looking for in potential candidates. Ultimately, your resume is a tool to help you get your foot in the door with prospective employers or graduate schools; its purpose is to secure an interview, giving you the opportunity to sell your strengths and abilities to your customer in person . In most cases, your re-sume provides employers with a first impression of you.

RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

The terms “resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably, but they are actually very different in terms of both content and target audience! A CV is a special type of resume traditionally used within academia.

It is typically longer and more detailed than a resume and lists, in detail, your degrees earned, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, professional memberships/involvements, and other related information. If you are unsure of which one to use when applying for a position, consult your career counselor.

RESUME FORMATSChronological This format lists your jobs or experiences in reverse chronological order with your most recent position de-tailed first. Use this format when your experiences are strong and relevant to your job objective. It highlights your job titles and employers.

Functional This format organizes information under functional headings that highlight your areas of strength. Gener-ally, the headings are transferable skills, such as “Lead-ership,” “Programming,” or “Administrative.” Draw upon ALL your experiences (employment, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and coursework) to illustrate your abilities. Combination This format uses elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It allows you to include a sec-tion about prior work experiences and a section on your functional and transferable skills. This is a good choice for recent graduates with some job experience and career changers.

All resumes will be different de-pending on your unique skills

and experiences and the position for which you are applying. Sched-ule an appointment with your ca-reer counselor to receive assistance in developing and enhancing your resume.

Stop by for a quick 10 minute re-sume critique during our drop-

in hours, 2–4, M-F.

Utilize Optimal Resume to cre-ate and share your resume with

a career counselor. You will receive feedback in 1-2 business days.

P. 24

RESUME WRITING

Name and Contact Information Always include your name, mailing address, tele-phone number, and email address. If you are still in college when sending resumes to employers or graduate schools, include both your current and permanent contact information.

ObjectiveThe objective is a one line description of the posi-tion you are seeking and the skills/special interests you will bring to the job. It should be tailored to the specific position you are applying for, rather than being a vague statement such as “Seeking a chal-lenging position suited to my education and skills.” You may omit an objective if you are applying for a variety of positions within one company, or if you are giving your resume to multiple employers at a career fair.

EducationThis section should be placed near the top of your resume, just below your contact information and/or your objective. State your highest degree earned first. List the name and location of each institution from which you earned a degree, type and date of degree earned, major(s) and minor(s), and GPA (either cumulative or major, if favorable). Other optional information you may include in this section is relevant coursework, professional development courses, licenses/certifications, dean’s list, and/or scholarships. Do not include high school informa-tion in this section.

Experience Your experience can include any number of activi-ties, such as paid work experiences, volunteer work, internships, assistantships, student organi-zation involvement, and important class projects. Include your job title, the name of the organiza-tion, location (city and state), and the dates of employment/involvement. Utilize power verbs to describe accomplishments and achievements while on the job (ex. training and/or supervision of other employees, awards earned, special proj-ects/assignments completed, etc.), skills devel-oped, and knowledge gained.

Additional Sections Involvement:This section can highlight your volunteer experi-ences, professional association memberships, and/or extracurricular activities. Include the name of the organization, any offices you held, and dates you participated. Include a brief description of your activities if they are relevant to the posi-tion for which you are applying. This section could also be labeled “Leadership & Involvement,” “Re-lated Activities,” or “Professional Development.”

Honors & Awards:This is another section (other than “Education”) where you could list achievements, certificates, academic awards, scholarships, dean’s list, hon-ors, etc. Be sure to include dates.

Skills:This section gives you the opportunity to list special skills you may possess that are relevant to the job you want, such as technical skills or language skills.

Other Categories:Be creative and don’t feel you have to limit the content of your resume to the categories listed above. If you have special information that sup-ports your application, create a place for it. Here are a few creative headings that have appeared on resumes: Research, International Experience, Teaching Experience, Publications/Grants, Cul-tural Experience, Relevant Training, Community Involvement, Lab Skills/Field Skills, Presenta-tions, Travel Experience, Conference Attendance, Public Speaking Engagements.

Check out the following sample re-sumes for ideas on content, format

and layout. See careers.appstate .edu for sample resumes by academic area.

RESUME CONTENTS

P. 25

YOUR NAMEPermanent AddressAddressPhoneemail@yourmail.com

School AddressAddress

Phone

OBJECTIVE What job do you want to get with the resume you are writing? Most resumes need to list a concise career objective with a specific job and purpose in mind.

EDUCATION Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Bachelor of Arts Communication May 2011Other information to include may be major(s), minor(s), GPA (overall and/or major, if favorable), relevant courses, certifications, Dean’s list, scholarships.

RELATEDEXPERIENCE

You may have different experience categories, organized to focus on certain types of experiences or skills, ie.” SALES EXPERIENCE”

PositionName of Business or Organization, City, State August 2009 - Present Use bulleted phrases beginning with a power verb to describe experiences. Related experience is anything you have done related to your job objective. Within each category, list your experiences in reverse-chronological order (most recent

experience comes first). Examine your resume as a whole to determine a strategic order for the presentation of

your information. What is most relevant, important and sellable to your target reader? You may want to highlight related experiences in a separate category and create additional sections & headings for other experiences.

Include full- or part-time experiences, volunteer work, internships, student teaching, assistantships, etc.

Arrange descriptive phrases in order of relevance to a position for which you are applying.

PositionName of Business or Organization, City, State August-December 2010 Describe in detail what you did, why you did it, who you did it with, what equipment you

used and the results. Quantify your results, if possible, and use commonly understood terminology. Identify

personal strengths and skills used to achieve your accomplishments. Use terminology that is common to the field you are pursuing. Always write out or explain technical terminology and abbreviations; Do not leave

anything to the employer's imagination or interpretation. Avoid using diluted phrases such as "responsible for" or "in charge of."

SELECTEDWORK EXPERIENCE

PositionName of Business or Organization, City, State May 2008-June 2010 Use this section to describe part time jobs/seasonal jobs that are not related to your job

objective. Using action verbs, write short phrases to describe what you did that illustrate each skill.

Be concise and specific.

LEADERSHIPEXPERIENCE

PositionName of Organization, College, City, State September 2009-present List and describe organizations, position(s) held, volunteer work, etc., This may be

labeled by a variety of headings. For instance, Leadership and Involvement, Professional Development, Volunteer Experience, etc.

This is just one example of how you might layout and organize your resume;Study many examples of resumes for ideas, and then determine a layout that works best for YOU!

P. 26

Chronological Sample

SAMANTHA A. PSYCHOLOGY 232 Concord Drive Lenoir, NC, 28612 123 Rivers Street(828) 555-0099 Boone, NC, 28607businessja@appstate.edu (336) 221-0022-cell

OBJECTIVE An entry-level human resources position where the employer requires proven interpersonal skills and leadership abilities coupled with educational backgrounds in psychology and business.

EDUCATION Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Bachelor of Arts Psychology May 2011Minor: BusinessRelevant Coursework:Survey of Management; Introduction to Personnel Administration; Human Resource Management; Introduction to Organizational Behavior; International Management; Social Responsibilities of Management; Business Policy

RELATEDWORKEXPERIENCE

Sales RepresentativeMast General Store, Boone, NC August 2008–Present

• Trained 4 new employees in customer service procedures, money management and opening and closing duties.

• Provide assistance to customers by answering questions about historical and novelty merchandise sold in a store established in 1882.

• Represent organization during Town of Boone events such as parades and festivals.

• Tabulate inventory and merchandise lists.

LEADERSHIPEXPERIENCE

PresidentDelta Zeta Sorority, Appalachian State University September 2009–Present

• Selected to represent sorority at National conferences and meetings.• Ensure that sorority is meeting national standards and regulations.• Lead weekly meetings to discuss upcoming events and budget issues.• Prepare monthly budget report and planned monthly service activities.

Student ambassador Appalachian State University September 2008-present

• Represent Appalachian State University to prospective students by presenting historical information about the university and leading campus tours.

• Attended National Ambassadors conference.• Held the position of treasurer for one year. • Tabulated monthly expenses and helped budget for upcoming year.

P. 27

Functional

Christine Advertising123 Main Street 200 Howard Street Charlotte, NC 28208 Boone, NC 28608Ab12345@appstate.edu Cell: (555) 123-4567

OBJECTIVE:An internship in the field of advertising utilizing skills in design and leadership

EDUCATION:Appalachian State University, Boone NCBachelor of Arts Communication, Major: Advertising, May 2011Minor: Marketing

CREATIVE DESIGN SKILLS:Media Publishing, Fall 2010 Designed brochures, newsletters, and flyers using InDesign Generated magazine and newspaper layouts using QuarkXPress 7

Copywriting for Advertising, Spring 2010 Created a 30-second radio commercial Developed a PowerPoint presentation on advertisements targeting elderly people

Foundations of Advertising, Fall 2009 Coca-cola vs. Pepsi project showcasing commercials and products

LEADERSHIP SKILLS:Fundraising, Chair, American Advertising Federation, Fall 2008 – Present Plan and participate in fundraisers Create competition projects Visit advertising agencies to network and learn more about the field

Vice-President, Black Student Association, Spring 2009 – PresentCouncil of Cultural Awareness, Fall 2009 – Present

TECHNICAL SKILLS: InDesign QuarkXPress 7 Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) Ability to learn new technologies quickly

WORK EXPERIENCE:Cashier, Grill Operator, Sandwich Maker: Wendy’s, Charlotte, NC, Seasonal 2008-presentMailroom Attendant: ASU Post Office, Boone, NC, September 2008–PresentCart Attendant: Sam’s Club, Pineville, NC, Summer 2010Truck Loader: Rooms To Go Warehouse, Charlotte, NC, Summer 2009Customer Service/Front Desk: Belk Library, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Summer 2008

P. 28

Combination Sample

Timothy Management PO Box 0002 215 Water StreetAnywhere, NC 00000 Boone, NC 28608Home: (000) 000-5555 Cell: (000) 222-5555Yn44444@appstate.edu

EDUCATIONAppalachian State University, Boone, NC December 2011Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major: Management

WORK EXPERIENCELowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Boone, NC August 2009-presentHardware and Tools departments

• Perform on the job training for new employees.• Identify and locate products, answer questions, stock shelves, and replenish inventory.• Perform resets on products.• Complete Inventory Replenishment Process daily.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Hickory, NC Summers 2008-2009Hardware, Tools, and Seasonal departments

Sears Roebuck Inc., Valley Hills Mall, Hickory, NC November 2007-May 2008Receiving and Pick-up department

Robbert Abbey Inc., Hickory, NC Summers 2006-2007Shipping, Receiving, Packing, Assembly, and Decorating departments

SKILLSInterpersonal and OrganizationalWork well in a team environment Quick and efficient learnerDiligent worker, lead by example Organize projectsManage and train others Public speakingAnalysis of information Listening and observingCalculate and compute numbers Patient and understandingDecisive and goal oriented Self-motivatedProblem Solver LogicalProficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel Proficient at typing

MechanicalForklift, Order Picker, and Narrow Aisle Reach Lift operation Lock RekeyingAssembly of grills, lawn tractors, picnic tables, saws Able to work with power tools

P. 29

POWER VERBS Accelerated Accomplished Achieved Acquired Adapted Adjusted Administered Advertised Advised Analyzed Applied Appraised Approved Arranged Assembled Assessed Assisted Assured Bought Briefed Brought Budgeted Built Calculated Cataloged Changed Chaired Clarified Classified Closed Coached Collaborated Communicated Compared Compiled Composed Completed Computed Conceptualized Conceived Concluded Conducted Confronted Constructed Continued Contracted Consulted Converted Controlled Coordinated Corrected Correlated Corresponded Counseled Created Critiqued Dealt Decided Defined Delegated Delivered Demonstrated Designed Detailed Determined Developed Devised Directed Discovered Dispensed Displayed Distributed Doubled Drafted Earned Edited Educated Effected Eliminated Enlisted Ensured Engineered Entertained Established Estimated Evaluated Examined Executed Expanded Expedited Experienced Explained Facilitated Financed Forecasted Formed Formulated Founded Gathered Generated Governed Graded Graduated Guided Halved Handled Headed Hired Identified Illustrated Implemented Improved Increased Influenced Informed Initiated Innovated Inspected Inspired Installed Integrated Interpreted Interviewed Introduced Invented Investigated Joined Justified Kept Keynoted Licensed Located Maintained Managed Manipulated Marketed Mastered Mediated Medicated Modified Monitored Motivated Named Negotiated Observed Obtained Operated Ordered Organized Originated Overcame Participated Perceived Performed Persuaded Pioneered Planned Predicted Prepared Presented Processed Programmed Prohibited Projected Promoted Proposed Provided Publicized Purchased Qualified Questioned Rated Recommended Reconciled Recorded Recruited Reduced Rehabilitated Reinforced Related Reorganized Repaired Reported Represented Researched Reviewed Revised Scheduled Selected Served Set Simplified Sketched Sold Solved Sought Sparked Specified Spoke Stimulated Strengthened Structured Studied Succeeded Suggested Summarized Supervised Surveyed Synthesized Targeted Taught Tested Tolerated Trained Transformed Translated Transmitted Treated Trebled Unified Updated Used Won Wrote

P. 30Utilize power verbs to describe experiences

COVER LETTER WRITING

TYPES OF COVER LETTERS Letter of ApplicationThis letter accompanies a completed application form or may be used to respond to a specific job listing which requests a letter and resume.

Broadcast LetterMailing unsolicited letters is another way to tap the hidden job market. These letters may work well for ap-plicants who have unique expertise in a given area, special technical skills, or who wish to work for small organizations in a specific capacity. These letters may be sent to a list of organizations which you have identified through research or other contacts. They are often used when you want to target a specific field, type of employer or geographic area.

Networking LetterThese letters request information about an organization or field, usually requesting advice or guidance. They are generally sent to specific contacts you may have been given.

Follow up LetterAnother type of letter is a follow up or thank you letter. This letter is sent after you complete an informa-tional interview, practice interview or job interview. The purpose of the letter is to thank the interviewee for his/her time and reiterate your interest in the company and/or the job.

In general, the purpose of cover letters is to interest prospective employers enough so they call to sched-ule an interview. To fulfill this purpose, you will need to target each cover letter to a specific company and

position, showing how your background and abilities fulfill particular company needs. Generic letters writ-ten to prospective employers are not enough. Those hiring will see such general letters for what they are: they will realize that you have not invested much time or effort in researching their company and writing an individual letter. Therefore, they probably will not invest their time by interviewing you. You will find that time spent to research the company, to determine how you are going to peak your readers' interest, and to write a letter convincing a prospective employer that your background matches company needs is well worth the effort. When emailing an attachment of a cover letter and resume, include one paragraph in the body of your email which includes the position you are applying for, description of attachments and thank the em-ployer for his/her time and consideration.

Check out the following sample cover letters for ideas on content and lay-

out.

P. 31

LETTER OF APPLICATION

Katherine JohnsonPO Box 00000Boone, NC 28607(555) 555-5555kj22222@appstate.eduMarch 11, 2011

Ms. Mary SmithDirector of Human ResourcesThe Humanitarian FoundationCulver City, CA 90000

Dear Ms. Smith:

Please accept my application for the position of Logistics Coordinator with The Humanitarian Organization which I found listed in Opportunity NOC’s. My last position was Seminar Scheduler for a diversity training company. In this position, I supported peopleon the front lines (facilitators, teachers, therapists, activists, etc.) with the logistical assistance they needed. This experience coupled with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and concentration in Public Relations, make me a strong candidate for this position.

As Seminar Scheduler, my negotiations with clients and co-workers took place via telephoneand face-to-face, requiring excellent communication and documentation skills. Attention to detail was crucial in this position as I scheduled approximately 50 seminars, workshops and lectures per month. Scheduling required managing reservations for rooms, hotels, dining, and leisure activities for speakers.

As a Communications major, I completed coursework that required numerous presentations, papers and group projects which has resulted in being confident in all of these areas. Relevant courses have included Organizational Communications, Argument and Advocacy and Logistical Communications.

The information provided on your website and newsletter ensures me that your organization would be an excellent match for my value of working for an organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. I am particularly passionate about diversity issues, ecological awareness and children’s rights.

The calendar on the Foundation’s website indicates that many of your large events are at night and on weekends, which my schedule can easily accommodate. I am available for interviews at your convenience and look forward to speaking with you in person. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Katherine JohnsonEnclosure: Resume

Always try to address the letter to a person.

Know your audience-before you write the letter, review the organization and how your experience and interests match the needs of the employer.

Right away, state the purpose of your letter-what you are applying forand where you found it.

Refer to your resume, drawing attention to the most relevant experiences and qualifications.

Suggest next steps and show appreciation

Demonstrate that you did your homework and learned more about the organization.

P. 32

Broadcast Letter526 Stadium Dr. #13Boone, NC 28607(555) 555-5555gb22222@appstate.eduMarch 1, 2007

Mr. Jim WestDirector of Human ResourcesABC PharmaceuticalsCary, NC 44444

Dear Mr. West:

Please consider this letter of inquiry an expression of my interest in exploring employment opportunities with ABC Pharmaceuticals. Having researched the industry online and through personal acquaintances, I believe that this organization is an excellent match for my educational background, as well as my sales experience and ability to effectively communicate with others.

During the years spent acquiring my Bachelor of Science in Biology, I came to realize how much the intricacies of the human body fascinate me. In particular, the aspects of genetics and the affects of modern medicine have become driving passions leading to my interest inthe pharmaceutical industry. I see the importance of this industry and fully realize the rate ofgrowth we are experiencing.

I realize that conveyance of accurate information to current and potential clients is a driving force in pharmaceutical sales. Due to the nature of my degree, I am quite used to memorizing and understanding massive amounts of information and being able to understand, retain, and paraphrase it. Additionally, a background in chemistry and molecular biology will allow me to gain a better appreciation of the products and their intended affects.

My sales experience in the retail industry has adequately educated me in the importance of product information and the disclosure thereof. The retail industry has given me an extensive background in building relationships with a variety of constituents, including customers, brand representatives, and the retail sales community.

I am confident that my experience and skills, coupled with my educational background, would greatly contribute to the pharmaceutical industry. Please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience, by phone or email, in order to discuss the possibility of full time employment.

Sincerely,

Gary BiologyEnclosure: Resume

Always try to address the letter to a person.

Know your audience-before you write the letter, review the organization and how your experience and interests match the needs of the employer.

Right away, state the purpose of your letter.

Refer to your resume, drawing attention to the most relevant experiences and qualifications.

Suggest next steps and show appreciation

P. 33

Networking Letter

P. O. Box 12345Boone, NC 28608

828.262.5000Chen123@gmail.com

March 12, 2011

Ms. Laura ValenciaManager, Creative ServicesPutnam, Blair and Associates2112 Front StreetSan Francisco, CA 94114

Dear Ms. Valencia:

In May 2011, I will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Appalachian State University. I have a strong interest in advertising and will soon be seeking a position as a junior or assistant copywriter. Robert Alum encouraged me to contact you, suggesting that you might be willing to meet with me and provide an insider’s view of the best ways to identify employment opportunities in your field.

During the summer, I completed an internship in the Marketing Department of a small high-tech company, and have worked as the Advertising Manager of The Appalachian newspaper. I believe that both experiences are relevant to future work in advertising. I have strong writing and communication skills, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. In addition, working throughout my Appalachian career to finance a substantial portion of my education has strengthened my time management skills and determination to pursue and achieve my goals. These skills, together with my love for photography, fascination with the consumer market, and personal interest in the creative side of advertising, have led to my strong interest in your field.

I will be in touch with you by phone in a week. I would like to set up a short 20-30 minute meeting with you at your organization at a mutually convenient time. Any advice or suggestions you might have for a recent graduate who will be actively job searching in a few months would be appreciated.

My resume is enclosed to give you some idea of my background. I understand you are busy, and appreciate your time. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Amy ChenEnclosure: Resume

P. 34

GRADUATE SCHOOL PREPARATION

Key steps for applying to graduate school• Research graduate programs and make sure that

your undergraduate courses are preparing you for the graduate programs to which you intend to apply

• Do well in your course work• Complete substantial volunteer work if your under-

graduate major does not have a required intern-ship

• Grab every opportunity to make conference pre-sentations or to collaborate on publications with a mentor

• Be active and selective in student organizations and make sure that each activity maximizes your potential for a specific kind of graduate program

• Write an honors thesis if you have the option • Join professional organization in your discipline• Find out what your competition looks like• Get research experience with a faculty mentor• Practice taking the GRE or GMAT or other appli-

cable test, and take the appropriate test at least six months before you need to send in a score

• Select references carefully and give them enough time and information

• Visit programs on your “A” list just before you send in your application and make appointments to speak with the program directors and the chairper-sons of the admissions committees

• Make sure that your entire application is NEAT and complete

TakenfromDr.EdelmaHuntley,Dean,CratisD.WilliamsResearch&GraduateStudiesOffice,Ap-palachianStateUniversity

The Entrance Essay

Admissions committees go through countless stacks of applications from applicants with

similar test scores, grades, and academic back-grounds. The entrance essay can be the element that differentiates you. It provides admissions committees with an opportunity to get to know you on a more personal level. Each school will have their own guidelines but most admissions committees are looking for the same pieces of information.

Consider the following questions before be-ginning your essay: • What do you want to study while in graduate

school: What are your academic interests?• Why do you want to study it: How did you get

interested in the field? • Why you are applying to this particular program:

How will this particular graduate program con-tribute to your career goals?

• What experiences have you had in the field: research, academic, clinical, personal, or field?

• What do you plan to do with your degree once you finish it: What are your career goals? What do you hope to contribute to your field?

• Address anything that is less than flattering in the rest of your application: For example, did you receive a poor grade in a significant class? Are your GRE scores below average?

• Tailor your essay to match the specific essay requirements of each program. Make sure you address each part of the question they ask you to address. Also be careful to keep within the page limit or word number limit asked of you.

HINTS FOR SUCCESS

Remember to meet with your career counselor to review CV,

cover letters and entrance essays for graduate school .

P. 35

Checklist for Admissions to Graduate/Professional School Use this checklist to record your actions as you apply to Graduate/Professional Schools

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Name of University & Department

Date Requested Catalog & Application

Admissions Application Deadline

Date Application Sent

Date Transcripts Sent

Date References Sent

Date Test Scores Sent

Financial Aid Application Deadline

Date Financial Aid Application Sent

Housing Application Deadline

Date Housing Application Sent

Date of Campus Interview

Expected Date of Decision from University

Date Notified

Accepted/Rejected

Date Deposit Due

Compliments of ASU Career Development Center

P. 36

Martin I. Short 4545 Movin’ On Up Road

Boone, NC 28607 mi4545@appstate.edu

(828-262-5555)

Education Bachelor of Science: Psychology, concentration: Human Services May 2008 Appalachian State University Boone, NC Minor: Spanish GPA: 3.75

Research Experience Honors Thesis: College Student Drinking: Effects of norm perception on students’ alcoholic beverage consumption. To be completed Spring 2008

Research Assistant Summer 2006 Professor V. Knox, Psychology Department, Appalachian State University Boone, NC

Helped develop coding system for behavior assessment of 8-10 year-olds Tested 40 research participants for ability to complete various motor tasks Assisted with data analysis using SPSS Used PSYCLIT and JSTOR to research psychological literature on pre-adolescent behavior assessment

Relevant Experience Intern Summer 2007 Department of Social Work Catawba County, NC

Assisted with intake interviews for applicants to Drug and Alcohol Counseling Program Observed group counseling sessions for clients in the program Prepared assessment reports for Drug and Alcohol Counseling Program

Para-professional Counselor Fall 2005 – Spring 2006 Peer Career Center, Appalachian State University Boone, NC

Worked one-one-one with clients to describe their interests, abilities, values, and experiences using a profile rubric to determine possible career and major choices

Administered Discover, O*NET, and Self Directed Search assessments Participated in outreach programs to help students understand the value of self-assessment, career

exploration, and decision-making assistance offered at Peer Career

Volunteer Fall 2006 OASIS (Domestic Violence Prevention and Help Center) Boone, NC

Served as receptionist and administrative assistant during volunteer shift Provided basic interpreter services for Spanish-speaking clients Trained to answer emergency hot-line for clients in crisis

Honors and Awards Dr. Frank R. Terrant, Jr. Memorial Scholarship May 2006 - May 2008

Awarded by Psychology Department for promise in a psychology career Chancellors List 4 semesters Deans List 8 semesters

Professional Associations Student Member, American Psychological Association Spring 2007 - present Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society (Treasurer, Fall 2007 – Spring 2008) Fall 2006-present

CV Sample P. 37

Phone: (828) 262-2180Fax: (828) 262-2834www.careers.appstate.edu/students

Appalachian State University Career Development CenterJohn E. Thomas Hall, Room 369Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC 28608

DIRECTOR Marjorie Ellis, Director / Liaison to College of Business ellismr@appstate.edu

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/INTERNSHIPSSharon Jensen, Associate Director / Internship Resource Counselorjensensc@appstate.edu

ASSISTANT DIRECTORS/CAREER COUNSELORS BY COLLEGE Michelle Brown, Assistant Director / Career Counselor, Public Service and Environmental Careersbrownmd@appstate.edu

Sally Masters, Assistant Director / Career Counselor, College of Fine and Applied Arts, College of Health Sciences, Hayes School of Musicmasterssm@appstate.edu

Angel Wood, Assistant Director / Career Counselor, College of Arts and Scienceswooda@appstate.edu

RECRUITINGPhillip White, Employer Relations Coordinatorwhitepb@appstate.edu

CUSTOMER SERVICEDebbie Ewald, Customer Service and Support Specialistewaldda@appstate.edu

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTJosh Silvey, Technology Support Specialistsilveyjl@appstate.edu

STUDENT EMPLOYMENTStephanie Hickey, Student Employment Coordinatorhickeyss@appstate.edu Teressa Hollars, Administrative Assistanthollrsth@appstate.edu

GRADUATE ASSISTANT Courtney Gauthier, Graduate Assistant/College Student Development gauthierc@appstate.edu

Connecting Students to the World of Work